‘Gladiator 2’ is officially happening. From the star-studded cast to the release date, here’s all the ‘Gladiator’ sequel news to know.
It’s been over 20 years since the monumental success of Gladiator, and the sequel is finally here. Gladiator II is shaping up to be the definition of epic. Director Ridley Scott returned to explore more of the Gladiator story, and the cast features some of Hollywood’s most talented breakout stars. Arguably the biggest stars in the world right now include Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and the protagonist himself, Paul Mescal, who plays the son of Maximus and is set to have a legacy of his own.
The first Gladiator made a whopping $503.2 million at the box office after its release in 2000. The film went on to win 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
Gladiator II has finally arrived in theaters, and Hollywood Life has rounded up all the latest updates, including details about the movie’s all-star cast and the roles they are playing.
Let’s get one thing straight: Maximus is not in Gladiator II. Russell Crowe played Maximus in the 2000 film, and the role cemented him as one of Hollywood’s top stars. As fans will recall, Maximus dies at the end of Gladiator. Unless Maximus returned as a ghost, there’s not really an opportunity to bring back Maximus.
Russell previously addressed the possibility of Maximus’ return in Gladiator II. “I’m sure at some point in time they’ll want to ask me about something, but they haven’t brought anything up in a while,” the Oscar winner told The Ryan Tubridy Show in March 2023. “It’s an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus’ passing, so it doesn’t really involve me at all. I hear that young fella Paul [Mescal] is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they’re picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor.
